Can You Be Jewish and Modern?
14/02/2014 12:56:01 PM
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"When Adar enters, we increase in joy; when Av enters, we decrease in joy." I heard from my predecessor at South Head, Rabbi Tobias Silberman, a beautiful insight on this passage in the Talmud. There are occasions when a Jew must increase in joy, and other occasions when a Jew must decrease in joy. There is however NO occasion in which a Jew may not be joyful. In a similar vein, the Shulchan Aruch - Orach Chaim begins with a quote from King David, "I place G-d before me constantly" and concludes with a quote from King Solomon, "It is good to have a joyful heart constantly". The Chida explains that these two statements are the "Two Tablets of Stone" that must be engraved upon every Jewish heart. And indeed, they are two sides of the same coin, for it is not possible to believe in G-d and not be constantly joyful, nor is it possible to be truly joyful without constantly placing one's faith in G-d. Living in this wonderful country there is much to be joyful about, and there is much reason to have faith in G-d. Let us hope that we appreciate this more fully as we move further into Adar - and that the joy in this realization permeates our being with gratitude and a desire to contribute more goodness to the world. On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you a Good & Peaceful Shabbos Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM Can You be Jewish ..
and Modern? Many of us face challenges, and some, conflicts, between Judaism and modernity. This Course will explore some extraordinary issues which concern all of us: as parents, as Jews, as Australians and as Citizens of the Free World. Join us on an amazing journey - as we encounter fascinating historical events that affected the Jewish people and continue to shape the contours of contemporary Jewish life. But this journey is also about you: It’s about discovering who you are as a Jew, and what you can do to ensure that your children and grandchildren will be proud Jews. It will help provide you with the clarity and conviction to pass on a legacy of Jewish pride to future generations. To Be a Jew in the Free World is for anyone who feels deeply about their Jewishness, who is always on the lookout for higher meaning, and who cares to impart their love of Judaism to the next generation. Click here for a full course overview. Click the graphic below for dates and prices. To be eligible for the Early Bird Discount please contact Helen by February 10th. This is necessary so that we can secure a better price on shipping of text books and materials and can then pass on the savings to you. Contact Helen on - 9371 7300 ext 4 or secretary@southhead.org
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 Brookie ReportsMummy and Me began this week! What an exciting morning of fun and play we had! Kids made exciting arts and crafts for Purim and Pesach (yes Pesach is not too far off... ;)) This Term runs every Thursday morning 10-11.30am until April 3. You can register for the whole term or just take it week by week. Call me on 0404 055 643 or email youth@southhead.org or visit our homepage Childrens' Services
Back in Full Swing We were all so happy to see you back in Shul last Shabbos and can't wait to see you this week. We've got the best programs for kids of every age so check out where you should be and come join us! Looking forward to seeing you in Shule and wishing you a Good Shabbos. Brookie and the Youth Crew Save the Dates
March 1: Bless the Kids March 14: Special Purim Kids' Event 
Parasha Sheet
Tetzaveh Q. Parashat Tetzaveh is the only Parasha where the name of Moshe is not mentioned from the moment he was born until his passing. The Parasha opens with the words V’Atah Tetzaveh - and you shall command. (The you is referring to Moshe and Hashem is telling Moshe to instruct the Jewish people). Why is this so? A. A simple explanation is when the Jewish people sinned with the Golden Calf, Hashem was ready to wipe out the Jewish nation and begin a new nation from Moshe. Moshe defended the Jewish people and begged Hashem to forgive the nation. Moshe was so strong in his defence of the Jewish people that he himself told Hashem that if He was not willing to forgive the Jewish people, then He should erase his name from the Torah. The words of all righteous men are eternal and leave an impression and so therefore, the effect of Moshe’s words had to be somewhere in the Torah, seemingly in this week’s Parasha. Parashat Tetzaveh usually coincides with the date of Moshe’s passing , Adar 7 and so in the week that we remember Moshe’s passing, his name is erased from the Torah. The Chassidic commentaries however, explain the absence of Moshe’s name on a deeper level. They explain that a name is merely a vehicle for other people to attract a person’s attention or identify the person. A name is secondary to the essence of an individual. The essence of every individual is beyond his name. The Chassidic commentaries further explain that Moshe's most glorious moment on earth was when he, as a leader, stood up for his nation, when he put his name on the line and told Hashem that if He did not forgive the Jewish people then he did not want his name to be written in the Torah. Moshe was a true leader. He was not interested in power, but rather he was prepared to sacrifice himself for his people. And this is why his name is absent from the Parasha! Rather than saying Moshe’s name, Hashem says You, speaking to Moshe in the second person. The you represents something deeper than a name. The you represents the self-sacrifice that Moshe was prepared to make for the Jewish people. His commitment to his people. To learn all about the Parasha, download our Parasha sheet! Please share our Parasha sheet around your Shabbat table and let your family and friends explore the Parasha of the week together with you. Communal News
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Embody and to celebrate the "brit" (covenant) between God and the Jewish people as originally 
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666 Old South Head Rd Rose Bay, NSW 2029 (02) 9371 7300 |
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SHMINI
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
(02) 9371 7300